Belonephobia | Fear of Pins and Needles

(be-loan-eh-fo-be-ah)

What is Belonephobia?

Belonephobia often refers to the specific fear of sharp object such as pencils, needles, knives, etc., but it can be more generalized to anything of a “pointy” nature such as a pointing finger, or even the sharp end of an umbrella or protruding corners. This phobia also involves the fear of sharp edges on furniture or structures.

This fear may also be referred to as Aichmophobia or Enetophobia.

Sometimes this general term is used to specifically refer to an irrational fear of needles, including hypodermic needles.

The root word 'belon' is Greek meaning 'needle' and the word 'phobia' comes from the Greek word ‘phóbos’ meaning 'fear.'

Causes of Belonephobia

Belonephobia is a specific (or “isolated”) phobia, centered on non-social key factors. Isolated phobias tend to have some previous trauma (often in childhood and often physically injurious) as a root cause; a fear of bees may stem from an injury in childhood, for instance.

Upbringing can also play a role, such as parental warnings about a direct threat (such as “snakes can bite and kill you”) which is especially notable in cases where a threat is more imminent. (An allergy to bees or peanut butter, for instance, would naturally reinforce a real medical concern.)

It is thought that genetics and hereditary factors may play a role in specific phobias, especially those related to a danger of injury. (A primal “fight or flight” reflex may be more easily triggered in those with a genetic predisposition, for instance.)

By contrast, social phobias (like a fear of body odor or touch) are less well understood, are driven by social anxiety and are broadly labeled as “social anxiety disorder”.

In all kinds of phobias, external experiences and / or reports can further reinforce or develop the fear, such as seeing a family member or friend who is affected. In extreme cases, indirect exposures can be as remote as overhearing a reference in conversation, seeing something in the news, on TV, or in the movies.

Belonephobia, like most phobias, stems from a subconscious overprotection mechanism, and as with many phobias can also be rooted in an unresolved emotional conflict.